Batch asphalt mix plant

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a plant for manufacturing heated asphalt mix. In particular, the disclosure relates to a batch asphalt mix plant for using a microwave heating vessel located in close proximity to a storage silo to heat asphalt mix at the point of storage using a batch production method.

PRIORITY

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No.11,198,977, issued Dec. 14, 2021, which claims priority to InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2017/023840, filed on Mar. 23, 2017, which claimsthe benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No.62/312,168, filed on Mar. 23, 2016, entitled “BATCH ASPHALT PLANT”, theentire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

A typical asphalt mix plant is comprised of a cold aggregate storagesystem. This can be a series of storage piles, or bins that hold thestructural elements of asphalt, such as sand, crushed rock, mineralfillers, and the like, collectively referred to as aggregate.Additionally, Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) or Reclaimed AsphaltShingles (RAS) can be a component of an aggregate blend.

A liquid asphalt binder which is added to the aggregate or blendaggregate and RAP is stored in heated tanks. The liquid asphalt bindermay be a PG graded binders identified by well-known ASTM D6373 or AASHTOM320 or M332 standards or an asphalt emulsion which meets gradesidentified by well-known ASTM D977 or D 2397or AASHTO M140 or M208standards. The asphalt emulsion may include any of a variety ofsoftening or rejuvenating oils obtained from petroleum refining orderived from biological sources such as soybean, corn, flax seed, rapeseed and other sources of seed oil. Additionally, bio-derived oils maybe obtained from tree sources where tall oil (obtained as a by-productof the Kraft paper pulping process) may be used in crude, distilled, orin modified forms.

The aggregate is then fed into a drum dryer heater, to which is addedRAP (if used) and the asphalt binder. The drum dryer heater heats, driesand mixes the components to produce the finished asphalt mix. This drummix process is well known in the bituminous paving industry. Bituminousmix plants known as batch plants may accomplish the same finishedasphalt mix and although the process is not used as widely today thebatch plant mixing procedure is also well known in the paving industry.

The drum mixer is typically heated with an open flame burner using afuel source, such as natural gas, LP gas, or fuel oils ranging from #2through #6 or slurry oil.

The finished asphalt mix is then normally conveyed to a storage silo,and then dispensed as needed into trucks that take the finished asphaltto an application site.

Such plants may also include dust collectors, a bag house to removeharmful or volatile particulates, screens, scales, bitumen storagesystem, heaters for maintaining asphalt binder at usable temperatures,or an onsite generator for power unless power is commercially availablefor the plant.

Thus, asphalt mix plants require a great deal of infrastructure andspecial air pollution permitting. They need to be able to produce largevolumes of asphalt to justify the expense; however, the demand forasphalt in most of the country is seasonal and/or sporadic. In thewinter, in colder climates, it may not be possible to produce and supplyasphalt; and as a result plants may shut down for a large portion of theyear. These economics place constraints on when and where asphalt can beproduced.

Another type of plant comprises a portable asphalt mix plant. Portableasphalt mix plants are similar to the plant described above, buttypically would include one or two silos for storage and the asphalt mixproduced is for a specific project. In some circumstances, the portableplant can be operated at a remote site and provides asphalt mix tocustomers on an as needed basis. Other plants may use some form of asilo at the end of the process to store a “batch” of finished asphaltmix of predetermined size that can be loaded, for example, into a truck.

As noted above, because of the cost of fixed site plants, the longhauling distances from permanent plants to the job site, and thesometimes infrequent demand for asphalt, portable plants may be set upto meet a specific short term need. For example, smaller municipalities,or counties, may have a small demand for asphalt at any given time, thatwould not justify a permanent plant, and instead they save up the demandand then use a portable plant every few years or as needed to make theasphalt or bituminous mix.

This is not an optimal situation, as the plants are still expensive tomove, setup, and take down, and the need to wait until sufficientcapacity has built up means that needs may be unmet for years before thedemand justifies setting up a portable asphalt mix plant.

In some situations, the raw materials may not need to be stored on site,and especially with the portable asphalt mix plants, the raw materialsmust be brought on site in bulk quantity or in what are known as supersacks. Super sacks are large bags of aggregate, treated aggregate,reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and other raw materials typically usedin an asphalt mix in the range of 2,000 to 5,000 pounds. These supersacks may be brought to the mix site as needed.

In any event, substantial infrastructure is still needed, which isexpensive and time consuming to set up, move, and/or maintain. This isespecially the case when even under the best of conditions the asphaltmix plant may be idle a great deal of the year due to weather or demandissues. Thus, a need exists for a batch asphalt mix plant thateliminates the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a plant for manufacturing finishedasphalt mix (in Europe, asphalt mix or finished asphalt mix aretypically referred to as bituminous mix or finished bituminous mix;those skilled in the art readily understand this distinction). Inparticular, the disclosure relates to a batch asphalt mix plant forusing a microwave heating vessel located in close proximity to a heatedstorage silo to maintain temperature of the finished asphalt mix at thepoint of production

One embodiment is a mobile batch asphalt mix plant comprising a flatbedtrailer, an electric generator mounted the trailer, a microwave energysystem powered by the generator, wave guides directing microwave energyinto one or more heating vessels, a conveyor and dragline to moveunheated asphalt from a hopper to the heating vessel, and a silo forstoring asphalt heated in the heating vessel with microwave energy.

In some embodiments the microwave energy system comprises a singlemicrowave transmitter; in other embodiments the microwave energy systemcomprises a plurality of microwave transmitters.

In other embodiments the heating vessel contains agitation mechanisms tomix the asphalt during heating. One embodiment of an agitation mechanisma plurality of paddles that move the asphalt from one side of theheating vessel to the other side during heating. Another embodiment ofan agitation mechanism is a pug mill to mix the heated asphalt beforebeing moved the silo for storage.

Another embodiment is a stationary batch asphalt mix plant comprising asource of electricity, a microwave energy system powered by the sourceof electricity, wave guides directing microwave energy into one or moreheating vessels, a conveyor and dragline to move unheated asphalt from ahopper to the heating vessel, and a silo for storing asphalt heated inthe heating vessel with microwave energy.

Still another embodiment is a modular batch asphalt mix plant with a lowenergy heating system comprising two T-shaped wings, wherein a firstwing houses various facility components comprising a microwave energysystem and a microwave heating vessel; and a second other wing comprisesthree or more modular silos for storage of heated asphalt.

An embodiment of a process for using a batch asphalt mix plant describedin this disclosure to produce a finished asphalt mix comprises the stepsto moving an asphalt mix from a hopper to a microwave heated batcher,heating the asphalt mix in the microwave heated batcher to apredetermined temperature using only microwave energy to provide afinished asphalt mix, and moving the finished asphalt mix to a silo forstorage. In some embodiment the asphalt mix comprises aggregate, treatedaggregate, RAP, RAS or combinations thereof.

In all disclosed embodiments, heated, liquefied asphalt binder (bitumen)or asphalt emulsion (generally referred to as a binder component) mayadded to the aggregate, treated aggregate, RAP, RAS or combinationsthereof (generally referred to as an aggregate component) prior tointroducing the combined aggregate component and binder component intothe microwave heated batcher and mixing systems described below. Thebinder component may be added to the aggregate component well in advanceof or just prior to the microwave heating and mixing procedure or at thetime of actual production. A heated, liquefied asphalt binder could beadded directly to the aggregate or in the form of foamed bitumen. A pugmill mixer could be used to incorporate the binder component into theaggregate component, although it is understood that intimate mixing ofbinder and aggregate is not accomplished as this stage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a mobileasphalt mix plant with a Low Energy Heating System (“LEHS”).

FIG. 2 illustrates top, front and side views of the mobile asphalt mixplant shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a batcher for use withthe mobile asphalt mix plant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates another alternative embodiment of a batcher for usewith the mobile asphalt mix plant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a batcher for use with an asphaltmix plant.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a stationary asphaltmix plant with a LEHS.

FIG. 7 is side, front and top views of a mobile asphalt mix plant with aLEHS.

FIG. 8 is close up side view of the batch heating vessel and pug mill ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a modular asphalt mixplant with a LEHS.

FIG. 10 illustrates various means of loading asphalt mix into the batchheating vessel.

FIGS. 11-15 show additional views from different perspectives or thevarious levels of the modular asphalt mix plant with a LEHS of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is section and cross section views of a microwave heatingvessel.

FIG. 17 is a side cross sectional view of a combiner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-17 illustrate embodiments of an asphalt mix plant having avessel comprising a microwave heated batcher, embodiments of an asphaltmix plant having a vessel consisting essentially of a microwave heatedbatcher, embodiments of an asphalt mix plant having a vessel consistingof a microwave heated batcher. In particular, FIG. 1 shows the generalconfiguration of an embodiment of the present description. Thisembodiment comprises a mobile version of an asphalt mix plant 10. Theasphalt mix plant 10 includes a flatbed trailer 12 upon which componentsof the asphalt mix plant are mounted, and which can be towed from siteto site. In other embodiments, an asphalt mix plant may be a stationarymini asphalt mix plant that can be mobile, or stationary.

An electrical generator 14 is located on the trailer 12 to provideelectricity to power the plant, or a connection for house power isprovided (which is especially useful with the stationary plantconfiguration). The generator 14 can run on a variety of fuels such asdiesel, fuel oil, gasoline, natural gas, and the like. Also, provided isa microwave energy system 16, and in particular a Low Energy HeatingSystem (“LEHS”), wherein a LEHS power unit powers a plurality ofmicrowave transmitters. The LEHS power unit typically includes aplurality of microwave transmitter units (not shown) with asplitter/wave guides that direct microwave energy from each transmitterinto one or more rotary head heating chambers, stationary corporate waveguides can also be used, using either 2.4 GHz or 915 MHz. The microwaveprocess is referred to in this disclosure as LEHS or as a mobile lowenergy heating system (“MLEHS”). Using a single or multiple microwavestransmitters in a series gives the ability to cycle the power andintensity to achieve the best heating results over a controlled surface.The microwave energy in FIG. 1 is channeled through a wave guide 18 thatruns along the side of, or under, a drag line (slat conveyor) 20(explained in detail below).

A hopper is provided where unheated aggregate or a mixture pf unheatedaggregate and RAP (or alternatively RAS) is loaded. This aggregatematerial may be loaded from stockpiles using a front end loader or insome instances may be brought to a mixing site in super sacks 22. Insome embodiments, the aggregate is combined or treated with anemulsified asphalt binder when it is used in the disclosed batchedasphalt mix plant.

The aggregate material is carried along the top of drag line (slatconveyor) 20, where it then falls into a drop chute 24, and then intothe LEHS batcher 26. The batcher 26 receives the microwave energy fromthe wave guide 18. The asphalt mix is heated in the batcher 26 and theentire batch is then delivered to a silo 28. The finished asphalt mixcan be stored in the silo until it is loaded into a truck. In anotherembodiment, the heating vessel is designed without any agitationmechanism and instead uses additional wave guide splits (not shown) thatcan be mounted either on the top of the silo or on the ground whereheating can occur, and then conveyance of the heated material to thesilo for storage. Ramps 29 are provided (or gravel can be used) to allowthe truck to move under the silo for material loading. The silo 28 is ona tilt-able mount and can be moved to a flat position on the trailer fortransportation. FIG. 2 shows additional views of the asphalt mix plantshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows various views of a batcher 30 that can substituted for thedrop chute shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The batcher 30 is affixed to theterminal end of slat conveyor 32. In particular, asphalt mix is droppedfrom the conveyor 32 into the batcher, which when full is emptied byopening the hinged door 34 at the bottom of the batcher 30. The door 34is moved by a hydraulic cylinder(s) 36 that moves the door between anopened and closed position. Microwave energy can be directed to thebatcher in the manner shown in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A wave guide(not shown in FIG. 3) can be attached to the slat conveyor 32, and theenergy released into the interior of the batcher 30.

FIG. 4 shows various views of another batcher 40 that can be used withthe mobile asphalt mix plant illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The batcherwould receive asphalt mix from a dragline (slat conveyor) (not shown inFIG. 4), but does not necessarily have to be physically connected to theconveyor as illustrated in FIG. 3. Two hydraulic cylinders 42 a and 42 bon opposite sides of the batcher 40 open and close a swinging door 44 atthe bottom of the batcher. Microwave energy can be directed to theinterior of batcher as described above.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a batcher 50 that comprises an LEHScavity 52 between the bulk drop container 54 and the silo 56. The bulkdrop container 54 includes bulk drop doors 55 a and 55 b which when openallow asphalt mix in the container 52 to fall into the LEHS cavity 54.Further, stainless steel doors 57 a and 57 b at the top of the silo canbe opened and closed to receive finished asphalt mix either in batchesor continuously. The LEHS cavity is preferably constructed of stainlesssteel which is not magnetic and is not a good conductor of microwaveenergy making it suitable for use with microwaves; other similarmaterials can be used such as aluminum (for example).

In order to more effectively heat the material a mixer 58 is provided,having a plurality of paddles 58 a (preferably stainless steel) thatmove the material from one side of the cavity to the other and backagain. In another embodiment, this mixing can occur outside the LEHScavity, with a detached mixer (not shown). The mixer 58 is powered bymotor 59 attached to the side of the LEHS cavity. Microwave energyenters the LEHS cavity through a wave guide 51. After the bituminousmixture is heated by the microwave energy, the mixture is droppedthrough doors 57 a and 57 b at the bottom of the LEHS cavity into thesilo for storage and eventual distribution.

In one embodiment, the asphalt mix plant is mobile; however, thedisclosed microwave batcher/cavity can be adapted to a stationaryasphalt mix plant as well. The asphalt mix plant can be used with supersacks of aggregate, treated aggregate, with some percentage RAP(including up to 100% RAP), RAS or combinations thereof. Depending onthe anticipated amount of finished asphalt mix needed, the time of year,and geographical location the aggregate, treated aggregate, RAS and/orRAP can be stockpiled outside or inside a building. The microwavebatcher cavity or vessel is adapted for heating batch sizes in the rangeof 1 to 4 tons of bituminous mixture, which is typically heated to atemperature in a range of about 280° F. to 325° F. The target heatingtemperature will vary depending on the type of bituminous mixture orasphalt used, the time of year, and hauling distance and in someinstances could be outside the typical target temperature range statedabove. The silo can hold in the range of 50-75 tons of finished asphaltmix.

As shown above the disclosed asphalt mix plant may include a microwaveheating vessel that is attached to the end of the conveyor, that sitsbetween the slat conveyor and silo but is attached to the silo, oralternatively the heating vessel can be located in the silo itself. Inparticular, the heating vessels illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 can berecessed into the actual silo rather than located at a site above thesilo.

FIG. 6 shows a stationary version of the asphalt mix plant 60, which issubstantially similar to the mobile version but can be fixed to aparticular location. The stationary version includes a hopper 61 thatcan accommodate aggregate, treated aggregate, RAP, RAS or combinationsthereof mixed on site, or similar materials loaded from super sacks. Apower generator 62 and LEHS power unit 63 are located at ground level. Adrag line (slat conveyor) 64 moves aggregate, treated aggregate, RAP,RAS or combinations thereof up to the batcher, and a wave guide 65 runsalong the underside of the drag line 64 to channel the microwave energyupward as well. As with the mobile plant, the stationary plant can use abatch heating vessel 66 located at the end of the drag line (slatconveyor), or a vessel that is attached to or enclosed within the silo67.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile version of the asphalt mixplant 70, which includes a mobile power unit housing a generator 71 andthe LEHS microwave power plant 72, and an aggregate, treated aggregate,RAP, RAS or combinations thereof loader 73. The aggregate, treatedaggregate, RAP, RAS or combinations thereof is moved up a drag line(slat conveyor) 74, with the wave guides 75 mounted under the drag line(slat conveyor). A batch heating vessel 76 receives aggregate, treatedaggregate, RAP, RAS or combinations thereof from the drag line (slatconveyor) 74 and microwave energy is directed into the LEHS cavitythrough various distribution conduits arranged in a ring around thevessel. The finished asphalt mix after being heated moves from thevessel into a pug mill 77 that uses paddles to mix the finished asphaltmix, which then moves into a silo 78. The entire plant is mounted on oneor more trailers 79 a and 79 b, and can be moved as needed.

FIG. 8 is a close up view of the batch heating vessel 76 and pug mill 77of FIG. 7. The microwave energy is channeled into a ring 80 that allowsthe energy to be evenly distributed into various input feed take offchutes 80 a, 80 b, 80 c and 80 d, so that the energy enters the vesselfrom a number of distributed areas. Doors 82 at the top of thevessel/cavity can be opened and closed to receive and heat a batch ofaggregate, treated aggregate, RAP, RAS or combinations thereof. Doors 84at the bottom of the vessel are similarly opened and closed to move theheated aggregate, treated aggregate, RAP, RAS or combinations thereof,and optional asphalt binder (if needed or used) to the pug mill 77 formixing. A motor 85 drives paddles 86 that mixes the heated aggregate,treated aggregate, RAP, RAS or combinations thereof, and optionalasphalt binder (if needed or used) to more evenly distribute the heat,and then the finished asphalt mix in the pug mill drops through doors 88into the silo 78 below. All of the areas that receive or process heatedaggregate, treated aggregate, RAP, RAS or combinations thereof, andoptional asphalt binder (if needed or used) are insulated to preventheat loss, or are provided with a jacket that is heated with circulatingoil.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of an asphalt mix plant with aLEHS comprising a modular asphalt mix plant. The disclosed asphalt mixplant 90 includes two T-shaped wings 91 and 92. Generally, one wing 91houses various facility components primarily related to microwaveoperation 91, and the other wing 92 comprises a series of silos forstorage of the finished asphalt mix.

In particular, this figure illustrates 3 modular silos (labeled 94A,94B, 94C and shown transparently in FIG. 9); however, more or less siloscan be included. The silos allow for dispensing finished asphalt mixinto trucks that can drive under the silos. Load cells are incorporatedunder the silos to weigh finished asphalt mix as it is dispensed.

Finished asphalt mix is moved to the silos by a combiner 96, which usesa series of paddles (not shown) to move and mix the finished asphalt mixfrom the microwave rotary heating vessel 98 to the silos 94A, 94B and94C. Drop chutes (not shown) located on the underside of the combinerallow the finished asphalt mix to drop from the combiner into the chosensilo. The drop chutes can be mechanically operated to allow forselection between the silos, such that the silos can be filled ondemand. For example, diverters can be used to channel the flow of thefinished asphalt mix to the appropriate drop chute and silo. The silos,as well as the combiner are wrapped in insulated jackets, and an oilboiler (or similar system) can be used to circulate hot oil thereto toensure that the finished asphalt mix is kept at a stable elevatedtemperature after leaving the microwave vessel in a target temperaturerange of about 280° F. to 325° F.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the modular asphalt mix plant with a LEHSshown in FIG. 9. The facilities section of the plant is comprised ofroughly 4 levels. The bottom level 101 can store facility equipment suchas a chiller unit that provides cooling for the microwave unitsdescribed below, or for any other purpose. A generator can be housed onthis level, to provide primary or back up electricity to the plant.

The second level 102 can include space for offices, as well as facilityequipment such as the HVAC unit for heating and cooling any of thevarious areas of the plant including the vessel area as well as theoffice space.

FIG. 10 also illustrates various means of loading asphalt mix into thebatch heating vessel 104. These include the use of a conveyor 103,either belt or paddle driven. Alternatively a bucket conveyor can beused as well. The top of the vessel includes loading doors 105 that canbe opened and closed as needed to load asphalt mix, and to accommodatethe heating step. As provided above, the asphalt mix may come fromvarious sources such as aggregate, treated aggregate, RAP, RAS orcombinations thereof.

At the second highest level 106 LEHS power units are located. The powerunits are electrically power and included a magnetron for generatingmicrowave energy. Wave guides channel the microwave energy waves to theheating vessel. The microwaves can be introduced into to the vesseldirectly or using rotary joints.

FIGS. 11-15 show additional views from different perspectives or thevarious levels of the modular asphalt mix plant 100 with a LEHS shown inFIG. 9, and illustrate the matter disclosed above in additional detail.

FIG. 16 shows section and cross section views of a microwave heatingvessel 110, in which aggregate, treated aggregate RAP, RAS orcombinations thereof is heated in batches by the LEHS microwave system.The aggregate, treated aggregate RAP, RAS or combinations thereof isloaded into the heating vessel from the top through doors 111 that canbe opened for loading and closed for heating. Microwave energy entersthe vessel from a variety of entry ports 112 to provide for distributingthe energy throughout the heating vessel. The vessel is lined with aceramic material, or some other similar material, that is notsusceptible to heating when exposed to microwave energy, and is durableenough to handle asphalt mixt. After heating, exit gates 114 are openedto allow the heated finished asphalt mix to drop into the combiner orsilo for storage of the heated finished asphalt mix. In FIG. 16, thefour wave guides 112 are stacked on top of one another, however, theycan be placed side-by-side, where there are four wave guides two on eachside; however, the wave guides on arranged horizontally instead ofvertically.

FIG. 17 is a side cross sectional view of a combiner for the use in thedisclosed asphalt mix plant. As described above, finished asphalt mixcan move from the microwave heating vessel into the combiner 120 fordistribution to the appropriate silo. Alternatively, the heating vesselcan be omitted with the heating taking place in the combiner 120 bychanneling the microwave energy through wave guides 125 connected atvarious locations along the length of the combiner.

The finished asphalt mix is introduced into the combiner 120 through ahatch 121 that can be open and closed as needed. A set of paddles 122move the finished asphalt mix along the length of the combiner under thepower of an electric motor 123. Exit gates 124 are located along thebottom of the combiner over the silos (not shown), which can beselectively opened and closed to fill the silos. The combiner 120 ispreferably insulated to avoid heat loss, and lined with a material thatis not susceptible to microwave heat such as stainless steel. Heated oilcan be circulated through the lining of the combiner to heat thecombiner to a temperature consistent with that of the finished asphaltmix.

The advantage of the present invention is that it greatly simplifies thecomponents of an asphalt mix plant and in particular a mobile plant. Byeliminating the need for a large costly heater the present inventiongreatly reduces the required infrastructure and cost associated withprior art plants. Further, the heating step is moved to the point ofstorage which also reduces the amount of infrastructure. For example,since heated asphalt mix is no longer moved on a conveyor, the conveyorexperiences far less wear and tear which occurs when the belts moveheated asphalt mix. The present invention allows for small costeffective mobile plants to be used in environments where it was not costeffective in the past. Still further, the present invention makes itpossible for retail providers of cold mix asphalt to easily provide hotmix asphalt by reducing the cost of such a plant, and the space neededfor a plant. The asphalt mix plant of the present invention can be usedat a retail home center and the like to provide hot mix asphalt.Municipalities which lack the demand for a dedicated prior art asphaltmix plant, can now afford to have a plant or more easily set up atemporary mobile plant at any time instead of waiting until long periodsof time until the demand justified the investment.

These and other advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art.

While the various embodiments of the invention have been described, theinvention is not so limited. Also, the method and apparatus of thepresent invention is not necessarily limited to any particular field,but can be applied to any field where an interface between a user and acomputing device is applicable. There are two earlier filed and relatedU.S. patent applications, U.S. Ser. Nos. 13/887,828 and 13/887,859; thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods, andmaterials are described below. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, includingdefinitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that havethe disclosure before them will be able to make modifications andvariations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A modular batch asphalt mix plant, comprising: twoT shaped wings, wherein a first wing houses facility componentscomprising a microwave energy system and a microwave heating vesselconfigured to be heated by energy received from the microwave energysystem, and a second wing comprises a plurality of modular silos forstorage of a heated finished asphalt mix.
 19. The modular asphalt mixplant of claim 18, wherein the asphalt mix comprises aggregate, treatedaggregate, RAP, RAS, or combinations thereof.
 20. The modular asphaltmix plant of claim 19, wherein the asphalt mix comprises 100% RAP. 21.The modular asphalt mix plant of claim 18, wherein the plurality ofmodular silos comprises three modular silos elevated to allow fordispensing the heated finished asphalt mix into one or more truckspositioned under the silos.
 22. The modular asphalt mix plant of claim18, further comprising a combiner.
 23. The modular asphalt mix plant ofclaim 22, wherein the combiner comprises a series of paddles configuredto move and mix the heated finished asphalt mix from the microwaveheating vessel to the plurality of modular silos.
 24. The modularasphalt mix plant of claim 18, wherein the first wing comprises fourlevels, wherein the bottom level comprises a chiller unit that providescooling for the microwave energy system and an electric generator toprovide primary or back up electricity to the modular asphalt mix plant,and wherein the second level comprises space for offices and a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit for heating and coolingareas of the plant including the microwave heating vessel and officespaces.
 25. The modular asphalt mix plant of claim 24, wherein the thirdlevel comprises the microwave energy system configured to generatemicrowave energy waves that are channeled to the microwave heatingvessel by one or more wave guides. 26-29. (canceled)
 30. The modularasphalt mix plant of claim 18, further comprising a pug mill configuredto mix the heated finished asphalt mix before being moved the pluralityof modular silos for storage.
 31. The modular asphalt mix plant of claim18, wherein the microwave heating vessel contains an agitation mechanismconfigured to mix the asphalt mix and optional asphalt binder or asphaltemulsion during heating.
 32. The modular asphalt mix plant of claim 31,wherein the agitation mechanism comprises a plurality of paddles thatare configured to move the asphalt mix and optional asphalt binder orasphalt emulsion from one side of the microwave heating vessel toanother side of the microwave heating vessel during heating.
 33. Themodular asphalt mix plant of claim 18, wherein the microwave energysystem is a Low Energy Heating System.
 34. The modular asphalt mix plantof claim 18, wherein each of the first wing and the second wing areT-shaped.